Swiss Court Denies Russian Assistance Request in Yukos Due to Political Character

On August 24, 2007, the Swiss Supreme Court denied a Russian request for judicial assistance in Russia’s investigation of the Yukos oil company because the investigation had a “political and discriminatory character...underlined by the infringement of human rights and of the right to defense.” The Swiss Supreme Court decision concluded that “the penal procedure in the case at hand is being manoeuvred by the powers that be with the intention to rein in the class of rich ‘oligarchs’ and sideline potential or declared political adversaries.” ..[more]